Finding Community in College

As the weeks fly by, and we fall into the routine of college life, it is important to pause for a moment and reflect on our time thus far at Chico State, specifically in regards to our involvement outside of the classroom.  Being involved in groups and activities is one of the most rewarding aspects of college, and allows you to create a community with people who enjoy similar things to you.  Finding community is essential to enjoying a healthy and full college career.  There is no secret to getting the perfect “college experience” besides making the most of every opportunity, and there is no one to tell us how to do this besides ourselves!   

Find your niche.  Explore where you fit in and expand upon that.  Build relationships and thrive within that community.  Search out people with similar interests and values and explore your potential and gifts.  Challenge yourself within the community you become a part of and take advantage of opportunities to build leadership skills.   

Try everything at least once, and give it some time before you come to a judgment about a certain group.  Oftentimes it takes more than one experience of being with a group of people to get a feel of the group dynamic and figure out if it is something you could be a part of.  Joining a community allows you to meet new people and expand your horizons of thinking that were originally based upon your past experiences.   

Don’t forget that joining groups also builds your resume, and being involved in college is something that employers look for!  The majority of learning and growth occurs outside of the classroom, so get plugged in to a community of people that will support you throughout your college career.